The Last 100 Years of Fumed Silica in Rubber Reinforcement

Abstract
            Synthetic amorphous silica such as precipitated silica and fumed silica is used as reinforcing fillers in rubbers. Precipitated silica accounts for the majority of synthetic amorphous silica consumed in rubber applications which include tires, mechanical rubber goods and footwear. Fumed silica is mainly used in silicone rubber products and to a lesser extent in mechanical rubber goods (MRG).
            This paper reviews the development of fumed silica for rubber applications in the past 70 years. Various fumed silicas were investigated in different types of silicone rubbers and MRG compounds (HNBR, FKM and BR/SBR/IR blend). This paper will address how fumed silica affects rubber properties compared to precipitated silica and carbon black.